We know that clear communication and effective outreach are critical components of a successful lead service line replacement or water affordability program. Additionally, state and federal legislation require multiple touches to residents regarding water service lines. Cook County TAP aims to make it easy for you to share important updates with your community.
Below, you will find customizable notification letters and communication templates for use by municipalities, community water suppliers, and others, in both English and Spanish. The first page of each letter contains instructions on how to customize the content and a summary of any requirements or context for sending it.
Notification of Service Line Material: The following customizable letters will help you fulfill requirements to notify customers of known or potential service lines containing lead (including galvanized lines requiring replacement and lines of unknown materials).
- Annual Notification of Known Service Line Containing Lead: English or Spanish
- Annual Notification of Service Line that is Galvanzied Requiring Replacement: English or Spanish
- Annual Notification of Service Line of Unknown Material: English or Spanish
Planned or Emergency Disturbance to Service Lines: The following customizable letters will help you fulfill requirements to notify residents and building owners of disturbances to service lines.
- Resident Notification: Planned Disturbance of Water Service that is Known to or May Potentially Contain Lead: English or Spanish
- Resident Notification: Emergency Repairs to Water Service Resulting in a Partial Lead Service Line Replacement: English or Spanish
- Building Owner Notification: To Initiate Full Lead Service Line Replacement After Emergency Partial Replacement: English or Spanish
Communicating Effectively About Lead Service Line Replacement: The following templates will help you empower residents to make informed decisions and feel confident to participate in your lead service replacement program. Learn more about the pilot project behind these templates in a case study on Elevate's website: Leading the Way: Evergreen Park’s Lead Service Line Communication Strategy
- Handout Materials (for use in flyers, letters, door hangers, and other materials): English or Spanish
- Newsletter Content (for use in print or electronic newsletters): English or Spanish
- Website Content (for use on a utility website or other materials): English or Spanish
Helping Residents Manage Water Use: The following templates will help you increase engagement in your utility’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure ("AMI") system, including water consumer portals. Learn more about the pilot project behind these templates in a case study on Elevate's website: Empowering Residents in the Village of Phoenix, One Leak Alert at a Time
- Handout Materials (for use in flyers, letters, door hangers, and other materials): English or Spanish
- Media Pitch (to gain additional exposure for your utility’s water consumer portal): English or Spanish
- Consumer Portal Sign-up Instructions (for use on a water utility website or other materials): English or Spanish